July 4th Must-Know BBQ Hacks

What are the must-know BBQ hacks for July 4th?

July Fourth is synonymous with two things: fireworks and barbecuing. But being a grill master is easier said than done, and it can be an overwhelming task for many. Having some pro tips under your belt can help bring you the juiciest flavors in your meat, seafood, or veggies. Instead of winging it, stick to these foolproof hacks, which have been vetted by barbecue experts all over.

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1. Substitute rosemary for skewers

It’s still sturdy enough to hold your kebabs together, with an added aromatic bonus. Why use a wooden stick when you could be slow-roasting fragrant herbs instead? This takes some of the legwork out of seasoning and also stops your food from falling through the grill grates.

2. Need a fire starter?

Grab an empty egg carton and some charcoal bricks. This can also be done on camping trips if you’re lacking a fire starter. Fill the egg carton with the bricks and light it — by the time it burns down, the charcoal bricks should be hot enough for cooking.

3. Grill your fish on a bed of sliced lemons

Grilling fish can be especially tricky — fillets are often flaky or tend to stick on the grill, making you lose those gorgeous grill marks and thus skimming off some of the flavors. This way, your filet will be infused with a zesty burst of citrus.

4. Get your grill to double as a smoker

Maximize the flavor of your ingredients with a minimal investment of time. Many brands sell affordable barbecue smoking chips, but it can also be achieved in a DIY process by wrapping wood chips in an aluminum foil pouch and poking holes in it. Then, place it under the grate for some smoky goodness.

4. Place an ice cube in the middle of your beef patty before grilling

There’s nothing worse than a dry bite of burger, so doing this simple step when you’re forming your patties ensures a perfectly moist, restaurant-quality bite. Remember to cover it up with more meat. If an ice cube is too watery, you can always add a pat of butter in the center instead.

6. Spray your meat with apple juice

This might seem odd, but it adds a sweet flavor to your chicken, pork, or ribs. You can add a small portion of apple cider to bring some more acidity into your patty. This is also a fantastic way to add moisture to your protein, as the ice-cube trick does.

7. Keep your grill clean with an onion or a grill mat

Instead of overusing your grill brush, preserve its shelf life by scrubbing with an onion half, which wipes grills clean of residue. Get your grill hot, and stab the onion half with a skewer as a handle, scrubbing the sliced side face down. You can even avoid the mess entirely by investing in a grill mat (see our favorite below), which is placed over the grill before cooking and prevents sticking, letting you skip frustrating cleanup.

8. Do the propane test

There’s nothing worse than realizing you have an empty propane tank and a patio full of hungry people. If you’re not sure you have enough propane to grill for everyone and don’t have a propane gauge, pour a bucket of hot water over your propane tank before your soiree. The tank should feel cold where there is propane, and warm where it is empty.

9. Create heat zones on the grill

Every grill has sections that are naturally hotter and naturally cooler. Knowing these hot spots in and out can be used to your advantage — create zones by starting items on the hottest side of the grill, and finishing them on the cooler side. Starting at a hotter temperature gives your patties a crisp finish while the cooler zones ensure that they’re cooked all the way through.

10. Use a grill light for better night visibility

There’s a reason that people host barbecues in the daytime — because, in the evening, it’s nearly impossible to get an accurate look at your meats without a headlamp, resulting in both overcooked and undercooked fillets. To guarantee complete visibility for nighttime barbecuing, opt for a flexible grill light with a sturdy base, and your nocturnal grilling adventures will become much easier to tackle.

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11. Use a meat thermometer for a consistently perfect grill job

Even for the pros, it can be tough to gauge if a piece of meat is done cooking on the grill, as heat can vary based on factors like the weather, the type of grill, and how long the meat keeps cooking once you take it off the grill. To cook with a proper finish each time, invest in an instant-read thermometer, which allows for accuracy and saves a ton of anxiety.

July 4th BBQ shopping list

Meat thermometer: Try an instant-read thermometer, which can record temperature In just two to three seconds with a wide temperature range. Say goodbye to guesswork with the Alpha Grillers Meat Thermometer, which comes decked out with water-resistant and backlight features and has a lifetime warranty.

Grill light: A bright and malleable LED light is a must-have when it comes to nighttime barbecue lighting, and we’re not talking about ambiance. Get fast and clear illumination just where you need it. The LED Concepts BBQ Grill Light has a 22-inch gooseneck design with 360-degree adjustability, as well as an adjustable screw clamp.

Wood chips: If you don’t feel like going full DIY with this hack, try out a variety pack of smoking chips like the Western BBQ Smoking Wood Chips Variety Pack Bundle, which includes four flavors. Try out apple, mesquite, hickory and cherry natural raw wood chips, which are compatible with charcoal, gas grills, or electric smokers. This variety pack comes with a reusable smoker tray.

Survival fire starter: This SharpSurvival Spark Fire Starter Kit with compass, striker and whistle might be designed for more dire situations, but it gets the trick done. Perfect for cookouts, camping or hiking adventures, this useful tool can start a powerful fire in any weather.

Gas grill: You can’t get anywhere in your barbecue endeavors without a solid grill. This 19,000-BTU gas grill has 428 sq. inches of grilling space and a warming rack. Constructed of porcelain-enameled, cast-iron grates and a cast-aluminum cook box, the Weber Spirit E-425 Liquid Propane Gas Grill comes with electronic ignition and utensil hooks. It’s a worthy and affordable contender compared to more expensive options on the market.

Grill mats: Keep your grill looking brand-new with a heavy-duty but flexible grill mat. This version by AOOCAN has nonstick features and comes in a set of five. It can withstand up to 500 degrees.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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